Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Ahmed Saadawi’s Frankenstein in Baghdad is a startling reimagining of Mary Shelley’s monster, relocated to the chaotic streets of post-invasion Iraq. Winner of the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, it follows Hadi, a junk dealer who collects body parts from bombing sites and stitches them together, hoping to give the victims a dignified burial. Instead, the corpse comes to life as the “Whatsitsname”, a creature bent on delivering justice to the killers of those it’s composed of. What unfolds is a surreal, satirical, and deeply unsettling allegory that fuses folklore, horror, and political commentary.

✅ What I Liked:
verything about this novel brims with originality. The monster isn’t just a figure of horror, it’s a living embodiment of collective grief, rage, and injustice. Saadawi balances bleak violence with biting humour, giving the book a sharp satirical edge. The atmosphere of Baghdad. claustrophobic, dangerous, and yet alive with resilience, seeps into every page. Most striking of all is the way the novel forces readers to wrestle with moral ambiguity: is the creature an avenger, a murderer, or something in between? This tension makes the story unforgettable.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
Honestly, very little. Some passages dip into reports and testimonies that slow the pace, but rather than feeling distracting, they ultimately add to the surreal documentary style of the novel.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
Because it does what the very best novels do: it makes you think, it unsettles you, and it lingers long after you’ve finished. It’s a perfect choice if you enjoy literary fiction that crosses into horror and fantasy while staying firmly rooted in political and social reality. Frankenstein in Baghdad will appeal to readers of speculative fiction, lovers of Gothic classics, and anyone looking for a novel that captures the human cost of conflict in an utterly unique way.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Saadawi has created a modern classic: a novel that is brutal yet tender, surreal yet grounded, horrifying yet full of empathy. It’s one of those rare books that manages to be both a gripping story and a profound social commentary.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★★★ – A brilliant, unsettling reimagining that will stay with you forever